A prosecutor said Ortiz's arrest came as law enforcement officials were helping Massachusetts authorities investigating the shooting death of Odin Lloyd. / AP

by Kevin Manahan, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Manahan, USA TODAY Sports

BRISTOL, Conn. â?? Shackled and teary, Carlos Ortiz appeared before a Superior Court judge for about two minutes Friday, was handed over to two Massachusetts State Police officers and whisked to Massachusetts, where he is wanted in connection with the Odin Lloyd homicide.

Hours later, Ortiz was arraigned in North Attleborough, Mass., and charged with carrying a firearm without a license. He is being held without bail. A dangerousness hearing has been scheduled for July 9.

When another Bristol resident, Ernest Wallace, turned himself in to police in Miramar, Fla., a Bristol County District Attorney's office spokeswoman issued a statement saying that investigators believe "that the three people in the silver Nissan Altima when Odin Lloyd entered it, are now in custody."

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez has been charged with the June 17 murder of Lloyd, a 27-year-old semipro football player and friend, who was found shot five times in an industrial lot about a half mile from Hernandez's home in North Attleborough, Mass.

Hernandez, facing life in prison without parole, is being held without bail, and is also being investigated in connection with a drive-by shooting that killed two men in Boston in July 2012, according to reports by ABC News and the Boston Globe.

In laying out the case against Hernandez at his arraignment Wednesday for Lloyd's killing, a prosecutor wove a tale that involved two accomplices from "out of state." Although authorities haven't provided the identity of the alleged accomplices, Ortiz, currently from Bristol, is known to be friends with Hernandez, linked by their hometowns.

Hernandez, being held without bail, has entered a plea of not guilty. His next scheduled appearance in district court has been tentatively set for July 24 for a probable cause hearing, although prosecutors could convene a grand jury before then to seek a formal indictment, said Chris Dearborn, a criminal law professor at Suffolk University in Boston.

Wallace, wanted as an accessory after the fact in connection with the Lloyd homicide, will face charges in Massachusetts upon his transfer to the Commonwealth, a statement from the Bristol County District Attorney's office said.

Ortiz, who has bounced between Hartford, New Britain and Bristol, appeared in court in a red jumpsuit, with scruffy facial hair and an afro. Although he had friends and relatives in the courtroom, the 27-year-old didn't appear to acknowledge them. He had been held in Connecticut on $1.5 million bail since Wednesday, when he was arrested as a fugitive from justice, police said. Court officials said he waived extradition.

An arrest warrant application reveals that police interviewed Ortiz on Tuesday in Bristol and he admitted possessing a firearm in North Attleborough on June 17, while on probation.

Ortiz has three children, two girls and a boy, according to friends and family who were at the hearing. While unsure of the kids' ages, a cousin said they were all under 8 years of age.

Milton Montesdeoca, 24 -- who appeared before the court in the morning session and received a continuance on alleged motor vehicle violations â?? stuck around to watch his buddy. Montesdeoca said he and Ortiz have hung together often in Bristol, sometimes just shooting hoops. He said police have made a huge mistake in they believe Ortiz â?? called "Charlie" by his friends -- had a role in a murder.

"He could never have done this," Montesdeoca said. "He's humble. He's quiet. And I don't even think he knows Aaron Hernandez."

When told Ortiz had posted messages on the Internet calling Hernandez a friend, Montesdeoca held his ground.

"I've been hanging around the guy for years," he said. "I never heard him mention Aaron once. If Charlie knew Aaron Hernandez, I would have met him."

Is it possible Ortiz could have been persuaded by Hernandez, an NFL star, or someone else to take part in a killing?

A woman who identified herself only as "Linda," and said she was Ortiz's cousin, stood in the rain outside the courthouse to defend him. She, too, was in court for another matter, saw his name on the docket and stayed to provide morale support.

"He didn't do this," she said. "He's not that kind of a guy. He was crying in court. Do murderers cry?"

When asked about Ortiz's record -- an extensive criminal history that, according to court documents, includes a February conviction for interfering with an officer, plus other arrests for larceny, assault and criminal mischief â?? Montesdeoca shrugged.

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